Method and apparatus for mounting filaments



April 19, 1938. P. w. KRAUSE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING FILAMENTS Filed June 1, 1936 w 7 re e 5 5 m a t uo un t "2 6W 8 .6 VI 2 2 s f n b Fgmf Patented Apr. 19, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Paul W. Krauae, Youngstown, Ohio, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application June 1, 1936, Serial No. 82,759,

izcl'aims.

My invention relates to the manufacture of incandescent lamps and similar devices which comprise filaments, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for mounting concentrated filaments'which are required to be definitely positioned. One application of my invention is to the mounting of filaments for projection and automobile lamps. In projection lamps, or the like, which cooperate with reflectors and lenses in producing a well-defined light beam, it is necessary that the filament be positioned very accurately with reference thereto in order to produce the desired beam and to eliminate stray or uncontrolled light.

Irregularities in lamp construction which cause the filament to be located out of position are usually compensated for by separate means attached either to the lamp or to the reflector, and it is the principal object of my invention to provide a method and apparatus for accurately mounting the filament so that the need for these means is lessened. Another object of my invention is to reduce the difiiculty with which the filament is mounted due to its small size and frailty. Another object of my invention is to increase the economy and speed with which the filament is mounted.

.According to my invention, I provide a plane surface on which a plurality of filaments are piled and an instrument for manually shifting said filaments about in order to separate one from the rest. A form is provided on the plane surface adjacent means for holding the stem and leadingin wires and the filament is pushed, through use ofthe instrument, against the form to locate it properly with respect to said leading-in wires. Electrodes are also provided to weld the filament to the leading-in wires while both are retained in this position. I prefer to use an instrument and a form of such shape as to confine all of the filament excepting its ends ina restricted space so that there is no possibility of the filament's being mounted out of position. For instance,

with a straight filament coil the plane surface.

provides the bottom side of the confining space; the instrument, the top, one end, and one side thereof; and the form the other end and the other side thereof. Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detailed description which follows of species thereof and from the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing Fig. 1 i. a perspective view of a device constituting one embodiment of my invention: Fig. 2 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a portion of said embodiment; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the portion of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 with the lamp stem broken away along line 3-4; Fig. 4 is a plan view of a similar portion of another embodiment of my invention, and 5 Fig. 5 is a side elevation thereof with the lamp stem broken away along line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, a quantity of lamp filaments iii are placed on the plane surface of the tray Ii and the lamp stems l2 on which the filaments II) are to be mounted are placed on the holder I3 with .the ends of the leading-in wires i4,- i5, and I6 resting on the electrode ii. The filaments ill in this particular instance, each comprises a quite 15 tightly wound coil having straight ends extending laterally outward from the coil and from the top and bottom-most portions thereof. The stems l2 in this instance are each of tipless construction with an exhaust tube l8 extending therefrom which is rested in the V grooves in the holder i3 and with leading-in wires l4, l5, and i6 having laterally bent and aligned ends which are rested on the end of electrode ii. The tray Ii, the holder and the electrode II are mounted on the frame IQ of the device, the electrode i I being located in a groove in said frame l9 as shown in Fig. 2 and being clamped into position by the blocks 20, 2| and bolts 22, 23.

A large magnifying glass may also be mounted adjustably to the frame I! to enable the operator to see more clearly and to function more effectively.

The operator of this device first places with the left hand the stem l2 into the position already indicated, with the ends of the leading-in wires l4, l5, and I6 spaced from the edge of the electrode linearest the tray H, as shown in Fig. 2. The operator with the right hand takes the instrument or tool 24 and separates one filament II from the rest on the tray ii. The separated filament III is then caught in the groove or opening 25 in the under near side of the tool 24 and with the bent end of said tool 24 resting on the tray ii, is pushed along the top plane surface thereof and onto the plane surface of the plate 26. The opening 25 in the tool 24 is substantially the same size as the filament coil and is so constructedas to prevent injury to said filament. To bring the filament l0 into the mounting position it is shifted on the plate 26 until the straight ends straddle the stop plate 21 and take position above and below the bent end portions of leadingin wires i4 and i5 respectively, (note: in Fig. i. the stem I" is turned from the position referred to, but for this portion of the description leading-in wires I6 and may be referred to equally well) and the side and end of the coiled portion lies against the stop plate 21 and stop finger 28 respectively. The stop plate 21 and the stop finger 28 constitute a form for holding the filament in position. The stem I2 may have to be adjusted slightlyto help the straight ends of the filament I9 fall into position without injury. The angularity of the end of the electrode [1 tilts the stem I2 so that the leading-in wires l4 and I5 engage the-filament ends at their respective elevations since the thickness of said leading-in wires is less than the difference in elevation between the filament ends.

With the stem |2 held by the left hand and the holder l3 and the filament l9 held in position by the .tool 24 in the right hand, the electrodes 29 and 39 are caused to be moved down through movement of a foot pedal (not shown) until the filament l9 and the leading-in wires l4 and I5 are engaged and welded together. The electrodes 29 and 39 are attachedto the levers3| and 32 re spectively by the bolt 33; and block 34 and bolt 35 respectively, and are operated about the shaft.

36 by arm 31. The arm 31 engages the levers 3| and 32 through springs 38 and 39 respectively and stop pin 49 and is fastened to shaft 36 which is operated by the foot pedal through mechanism (not shown), rod 4| and arm 42. The electrodes I1, 29, and 39are so arranged that electrode 29 engages and welds the lamp parts together first before the electrode 39 engages and welds said lamp parts. after electrode 29 engages the lamp parts is taken up by spring 38 and by spring 39 after the electrode 39 engagessaid lamp parts. The electrodes I1, 29, and 39 are connected through the flexible cables 43, 44, and to the welding circuit (not shown) which controls the timing and amount of current used.

A second filament |9.,is attached'to the leadingin wires I5 and I6 of the stem l2 with the same set up. The" second filament is attached after the stem I2 is taken out and replaced after being turned on its longitudinal axis and takes a position on the opposite side of the axis. corresponding to-that of the first filament.- In this position of the stem [2 the first filament l9 lies in the groove 46 in the plate 26 and-the stem I2 is adjusted so that the coiled portion of the filament-I9 engages the stop finger 28 and the bottom of the groove 46. The first filament l9 also rests on the block 41 in said groove which causes the filaments |9--|9 0r leading-in wires |4, I5, and I6 to be bent' if they are not properly positioned as the second filament is welded on. The operations in attaching the second filament to the leadingrin wires l5 and I6 are exactly the same as those used in attaching the first filament and are not described further.

The embodiment of my device shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is provided for mounting V-shaped coiled filaments 59 and in the instance shown is employed to mount tw'o V-shaped filaments, one above the other, on the stem 5| (only partially shown). The device differs from the other device only in the parts which engage the filaments 59 and which are shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The filaments 59 lie on the-tray II as before but the stem 5| rests in the holder with the leading-in wires'52 and 53 resting on the electrode 54 in the position shown. A filament 59 is selected from those on the tray II and, by manipulation of the tool 65. is caught in the'v groove 56 in The excess movement of arm 31 to the leading-in wires 52 and 53 as shown. The V notch 59 in the tool allows the operator to see whether the filament. 59 is properly located in the V groove 56 of the tool 55.

The ends of the filament 59 take positions above and below the leading-in wires 52 and 53 respectively since one efid extends from the top and the other end extends from the bottom of the filament coil. The filament 59 is now welded to the leading-in wires 52 and 53 by electrodes (not shown) similar to those in Fig. 1 which are brought down into engagement therewith. During these operations a leading-in wire 69 (Fig. 5) which is located below leading-in wire 53 and the support wire 6| which is located below leading-in wire 52 and is attached'thereto, lie in the aperture 62in electrode 54.

ture 62 in said electrode 54. The support wire 6| functions as another leading-in wire and is fastened to leading-in wire 52.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The method of mounting a filament on a stem having a pair of leading-in wires extending therefrom which comprises supporting said stem in a definite relation to a plane surface. sliding a filament on said plane surface to a definite position with reference to said stem and said leading-in wiresand attaching said filament to the-leading-in wires in said position.

2. The method of mounting a filament on a stem having a pair of leading-in wires extending therefrom which comprises supporting said stem in a definite relation to a plane surface, catching a filament in an opening in the bottom of a tool rested on said plane surface, sliding said filament on said plane surface to a definite position with reference to said stem and said leading-in wires by manipulation of said tool and attaching said filament to the leading-in wires in said position.

3. The method of mounting a filament on a stem having a pair of leading-in wires extending therefrom which comprises supporting said stem in a definite relation to a plane surface and a form 'thereon, sliding a filament on said plane surface and into engagement with said form so that it is positioned with reference to saidstem and said leading-in wires and attaching said filament tothe leading-in wires in said position.

4. The method of mounting a pair of filaments on a stem having a plurality of leading-in wires extending therefrom which comprises supporting said stem with a pair of said leading-in wires in a definite relation to a plane surface, sliding a filament on said plane surface to a definite positionwith reference to said pair of leading-in wires, attaching said filament to said leading-in wires in said position, adjusting said stem to bring a second pair of leading-in wires into a definite position with reference to said plane surface, sliding a second filament on said plane surface to a definite position with reference to said second pair of leading-in wires and in attaching said second filament to said second pair of leading-in wires in said position;

5. An apparatus for mounting filaments on stems having leading-in wires extending therei.'ro: m comprising a holder for a stem, 9, tray mounted adjacent said holder for supporting a plurality of filaments, a form mounted at the edge of said tray and in a definite relation to said holder, a tool for separating one filament from the remainder on said tratand for sliding it thereon into engagement witiithe form and means for attaching said filament to the leadin in wires in this position.

6. An apparatus for mounting filaments on I stems having leading-in wires extending therewires, and means for attaching said filament to I the leading-in wires.

7. Anapparatus for mounting filaments on stems having leading-in wires extending therefrom comprising a holder for a stem, a tray mounted adjacent said holder for supporting a plurality of edge of said tray and in a definite relation to said holder, a tool having a portion adapted to rest on the tray and having an opening'in said portion adapted to hold a filament,' for separating one filament on the tray from the remainder and for sliding said filament against the form, and means for attaching said filament to the leading-in wires in this position.

8. .An apparatus for mounting filaments on stems having leading-in wires extending therefrom comprising a holder.ior a stem, a tray mounted adjacent said holder for supporting -.a plurality of filaments, an electrode mounted adjacent the edge ofsaid tray and having the top surface thereof inclined and partially above and below the surface ofthetray for supporting the ends of leading-in wires extending from the stem, a tool for separating one filament from the remainder on said tray and for sliding it thereon to the edge adjacent the electrode and in engagement with said leading-in wires, an electrode mounted above the first and means for moving said electrode down onto the filament and leading-in wires to weld them together.

9. An apparatus for mounting filaments on stems having leading-in wires extending therefrom comprising a holder for a stem, a tray mounted adjacent said holder for supporting a plurality oi. filaments, a form mounted at the the remainder on said tray and for filaments, a form mounted at the I edge of said tray and in a definite relation to said holder, a tool for separating one filament from sliding it thereon into vengagement with the form, means for attaching said filament to the leading-in wires in this position and a groove in said tray for holding and positioningthe filament when the stem is adjusted to another position in the holder in which a second filament is attached to leading-in wires extending therefrom.

10. Apparatus for mounting filaments on stems having leading in wires extending therefrom comprising a substantially fiat horizontally disposed tray for supporting a plurality ,of coiled filaments having outwardly extendinggend'portion's, a form mounted adjacent to' the edge of said tray, a stem holder mounted adjacent to said edge of said tray for holding a stem with portions of a pair of its leading-in wires in definite relation to said form, means for engaging one of the filaments on said tray and sliding it thereon into engagement with said form, and means for attaching said filament ends to said portions of said leading-in wires. v

11. Apparatus for mounting filaments on stems having leading-in wires extending therefrom comprising a substantially fiat horizontally disposed tray for supporting a plurality of coiled filaments having outwardly extending end portions, a form mounted adjacent to the edge of said tray, a stem holder mounted adjacent to said edge of said tray for holding a stem with portions of a pair of its leading-in wires in definite relation to said form, a tool having-a groove therein of the same shape as the mid-portions of said filaments for engaging one of the filaments and sliding it thereon into engageon said tray ment with said form, said filamentends to said portions ing-in wires.

12. Apparatus for mounting filaments on stems having leading-in wires extending therefrom comprising a substantially fiat horizontall rdisposed tray for supporting a plurality of coiled filaments having outwardly extending end porand means for attaching of said leadtions, an electrode mounted adjacent to the edge of said tray, a form mounted adjacent to the edge of said tray and said electrode, a stem holder mounted adjacent to said edge of said tray for holding a stem with portions of a pair of its leach ing-in wires on said electrode in definite relation to said form,'means for engaging one of the filamerits on said tray and sliding it thereon into engagement with'said form, an electrode located above said first-mentioned electrode, and means for moving said second-mentioned electrode toward said first-mentioned electrode to weld the said ends of said filament and the said portions of the leading-in wires together.

PAUL w. KRAUSE. 

